Optical-mechanical roller with ratchet

ABSTRACT

A pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball or joystick, having a roller. The roller itself has either a plurality of slits or reflective strips for optical detection. A photoemitter and photodetector are positioned to detect rotation of the roller. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for coupling to a separate optical encoder. The roller can be depressed to cause the actuation of a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the photoemitter and photodetector are aligned along a vertical axis, such that the position information is not affected by the vertical depressing of the roller.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.08/949,681, filed Oct. 14, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,369.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer mice or track balls, and inparticular to those including a roller.

In one type of computer mouse, a ball protrudes from the bottom of themouse housing, and rolls across a supporting surface. The movement ofthe ball is typically detected by shafts which are in contact with theball and turn an encoder wheel having a number of slots. An LED is onone side of the encoder wheel, and a detector on the other, so that theturning of a encoder wheel, corresponding to the movement of the ball inone direction, can be detected by the intensity of light when it shinesthrough a slot, and is subsequently blocked between slots. Track ballswill have a ball mounted on the top with the housing being stationary,but similarly operate with two encoder wheels at 90° angles to detect Xand Y movement. optical mice and trackballs have also been developed.

Such mice and track balls typically also have buttons which can bedepressed or clicked by a user, and which depress a microswitch. Theseprovide additional inputs to the computer, in addition to the positionof the mouse or trackball. Some mouse designs have added a roller whichcan be used for such functions as scrolling or zooming. The roller isoperated by a user finger much like a dial on a radio.

One roller design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,919 assigned toMultipoint Technology Corporation. This has a user operable roller whichhas a shaft extending out from it, and an encoder wheel attached to theshaft. The encoder wheel is like the optical encoders used on the miceor trackball balls. Microsoft U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,344 shows a designsimilar to the Multipoint one in which a shaft from the roller isconnected to a separate optical encoder wheel.

Another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,230 assigned to AppleComputer. This shows two finger rollers with a shaft which drives a beltwhich is connected to a pulley on a separate encoder. A similar pulleysystem is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,455 assigned to Mouse Systems.

Yet another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,481 assigned to MouseSystems. In this design, the roller has a shaft attached to a gearoutside the roller, which drives an optical encoder wheel with the gear.

In addition to the rollers being turnable, a number of designs allow theroller itself to actuate a switch. In Microsoft U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,344,this is done with a roller which pivots inward under pressure from thefinger, in addition to rolling about its axis. When pivoted inward, itwill depress a microswitch to send an activation signal to the computer.Mouse Systems U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,455 shows a design in which the entirehousing for the roller is depressed against supporting springs, and whendepressed actuates an underlying microswitch, FIG. 5 is a drawing of themouse of the Mouse Systems patent showing the housing 92 and roller 90.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,303 to Apple Computer shows a graphic controllerwith three dials, with at least one of the dials shown with an encoderring and detectors, with the detectors being shown on either side of thedial in one drawing. However, unlike some of the designs discussedabove, the dials are on a fixed axis and cannot be depressed to actuatea microswitch and provide another input signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball or joystick, having a roller. The roller itself has either aplurality of slits or reflective strips for optical detection. Aphotoemitter and photodetector are positioned to detect rotation of theroller. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for coupling toa separate optical encoder.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the roller designprovides a mechanical, ratchet feel as feedback to the user. This isdone by providing an undulating or sawtooth-type surface inside the rimof the roller. A second roller is biased against this surface with aspring, so that when the larger roller rotates, it clicks from onedepression to the next against the inside roller. In a preferredembodiment, the same spring both biases the roller against the insidesurface, thus supporting the larger roller, and also is used to activatea microswitch when the entire roller is depressed.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, reference should be made to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the roller of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the roller of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a second embodiment of the spring used in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a prior art mouse showing the mouse housing androller extending through the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a roller 12 mounted over a substrate 14 which can be,itself, mounted inside of a mouse, trackball, or joystick housing, withroller 12 extending out through a slot in the housing for useractuation. The roller has a number of slits 16 which are elongated andextend radially. The number of slits can vary from six to forty-eight,or even more. Preferably, the number of slits is ¼ the number ofratchets of the roller, or a multiple thereof. By incorporating theslits into the roller body itself, the need for a coupling mechanism toa separate encoder wheel is eliminated.

Additionally, roller 12 can move up and down. Roller 12 rotates about aninner roller (not shown in this view) which rotates about an axle 18.Axle 18 is mounted in a slot 20 in a support structure 22. By aligningthe emitter and detector along the vertical axis even with slot 20, theup and down movement of the roller will not effect the detection of therotational movement.

FIG. 2 shows the opposite side of roller 12 from that shown in FIG. 1.This side of roller 12 is open, with an internal mechanism for producinga ratchet effect, discussed below, as well as an attachment to a spring24. Spring 24 connects with a first, flat portion 26 to an internalsupport structure 28 for roller 12. The spring contains an additionalflat portion 30 over a microswitch 32, with portions 26 and 30 beingjoined by a curved portion 32. Portions 26 and 30 are rigid. When roller12 is depressed, flat portion 30 will contact microswitch 32, providingan activating signal. An alternate embodiment of spring 24 is shown inFIGS. 4A-4D, discussed below. In yet another alternate embodiment, anoptical switch could be used to detect the depression of the roller,with an emitter and detector positioned below the roller normally, sothat they have the light path blocked when the roller is depressed.Alternately, the light beam could be interrupted by the spring or alever, or reflective detection could be used.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view from the side of FIG. 2 further illustratingthe invention. As can be seen, an optical detector 36 is mounted alongthe vertical axis of the roller, with a corresponding photoemitter orLED 35 on the other side. Alternately, the position of the emitter anddetector could be reversed, but preferably the detector is adjacent theslots so that light does not diverge as much after passing through theslots, allowing more accurate measurement. The photodetector ispreferably a multiple element photodetector which provides two outputs.As for a mouse ball optical encoder, the direction of movement can bedetermined by which element is illuminated first, in addition todetermining the amount of rotation from the number of times the detectoris illuminated.

Also shown more clearly in FIG. 3 is support structure 28 which holds asecond, smaller roller 38. Also shown is a ring 40 which mounts insideof roller 12 in a press fit configuration. Ring 40 is the portionincluding the slots 16 on one end. In addition, ring 40 includes anundulating or sawtooth-type inner surface 42. Roller 38 is biasedagainst this undulating surface by the action of spring 24 pushing upagainst the bottom of housing 28 in roller 38. In addition, thismechanism is the actual support for the roller, which is pushed upagainst the main skeleton, portion 50, and extends through a slot in themouse housing. Thus, when the user moves roller 12, the user feels aspring-back or ratchet-type resistance due to the spring action ofroller 38, giving it the feel of a mechanical, ratchet encoder wheel,while it actually uses optical encoding for recording its position. Theuse of the small roller in the present invention improves the durabilityof the mechanism compared to prior designs which simply spring bias anelement against a sawtooth surface.

Additionally, the preferred embodiment of spring 24 is designed so thatthe same spring not only provides the upward support for roller 12, butwhen roller 12 is depressed, will press downward to activate microswitch34. This is possible through the unique use of flat portions 28 and 30of the spring connected by a loop portion 32. Loop portion 32 is understress, having been compressed upon assembly. The loop portion causes adownward force on flat portion 26 to cause portion 30 to also go down,rather than up. This allows an easy mounting of microswitch 34underneath flat portion 30, with it being actuated when the roller isdepressed. Flat portion 26 pivots about a pivot point at notches 60, 62.Similarly, flat portion 30 pivots about a pivot point where it contactsnotches 64, 66. In operation, portion 26 will pivot upward at the endattached to loop 32, which will move that end of portion 30 up, causingthe far end over switch 34 to pivot down.

FIG. 4D illustrates an alternate embodiment of switch 24, illustrated asswitch 70. A pair of arms 72, 74 are joined by a spring 76. Arms 72, 74have ends 78, 80 which initially are not in contact. As for switch 24,described above, the downward movement on one end of arm 72 causes it topivot about point 62, with end 78 moving up, contacting end 80, andmoving end 80 up. As end 80 moves up, arm 74 pivots so far end 82 movesdown to activate microswitch 34. Spring 76 is in compression, to holdthe two ends together and transfer force.

FIGS. 4B-4D illustrate different positions of spring mechanism 70, witharms 72′ and 74′ being reinforced versions of arms 72 and 74 of FIG. 4A.FIG. 4B shows the structure 28, connected to the rachet mechanism,moving upward. FIG. 4C shows structure 28 moving down, and FIG. 4D showsthe switch being activated. In one embodiment, arms 72′ and 74′ areplastic, and spring 76 is a commercially available coil spring, makingspring mechanism 70 a low cost assembly.

Spring mechanism 70 provides adaptive feedback. Due to the use of thespring, as structure 28 is depressed, the spring will compress andpivoting will start, and as structure 28 is depressed more, a snappingaction will occur to complete the movement, depressing microswitch 34.This is similar to the structure inside microswitch 34, which gives theuser a noticeable feedback feel at the point where the switch has beenactivated.

Also shown in the figures are additional microswitches 44 and 46. Thesemicroswitches are used in an embodiment in which the mouse housing hasbuttons on either side of the slot through which roller extends toprovide the standard clicking functions found in a typical mouse.

As shown in FIG. 3, support 22 which has slot 20 is a separate structurefrom a support structure 48 which partially surrounds wheel 12, and hasa portion 50 which will extend inside of roller 12 to provide guides forthe upward and downward movement of structure 28. In addition, a portion52 provides a support for spring 24.

The present invention thus provides a compact design due to thecombination of the hollow roller drum and the encoder disk, allowingboth optical encoding and depressing of the roller for switch actuation.

As can be seen, the unique design of the roller does not include acentral axis, but is rather a centerless system, allowing theratchet-type support structure to be viable. Preferably, uponmanufacturing, the optical components are held in place with a solderingfixture to guarantee their precise position. The roller mechanism isassembled separately, and inserted on the completed substrate or printedcircuit board after removal of the soldering fixture.

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, the presentinvention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, twoseparate springs could be used, one to support the roller and another toactuate the microswitch. Alternately, a single spring could be used tosupport the roller, and an extending arm could actuate the microswitch,or the microswitch could be actuated by depressing of the roller or itshousing itself. In addition, different designs for the switch could beprovided, such as by having two fixed, pivoting members joined by aspring so that downward movement on one end of one pivoting member causethe corresponding end of the other pivoting member to also move down.The mechanism can be incorporated into a mouse or trackball on the topor side, or the side, handle or base of a joystick.

Substrate 14 is preferably a printed circuit board (PCB), and, in somemouse designs, could be mounted at an angle to match the inclinedsurface of the mouse through which it protrudes. In addition, roller 12may optionally be made of a rubber material, which is press-fittedacross internal ring 40 of FIG. 3. The rubber material may have ridgesalong its outer surface to give additional tactile feedback to the user,and to improve the friction of the user's finger when rotating theroller.

In one alternate embodiment, instead of slits, the roller can havereflective and nonreflective strips, with the emitter and detector beingmounted on the same side of the roller. Preferably, the emitter anddetector are mounted side by side, and a multiple element detector isused. The strips can be shaped in the same manner as the slits of theembodiment of FIG. 1.

The present invention as shown in the figures is mounted in oneembodiment in a mouse housing, such as housing 92 of the prior art mouseof FIG. 5. The roller extends through an opening in the mouse, such asthe roller 90 shown in FIG. 5.

Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is intended to be illustrative,but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pointing device for a computer comprising: ahousing; a user-movable roller extending from said housing, said rollerhaving a plurality of slits, said roller being rotatable about an axisof said roller and being depressible with respect to said housing; aphotoemitter mounted on a first side of said roller to direct lightthrough said slits in said roller; a photodetector mounted on a secondside of said roller, opposite said photoemitter, to detect light fromsaid photoemitter passing through said slits in said roller duringrotation of said roller with respect to said photoemitter; and a switchmounted to be actuated when said roller is depressed.
 2. The pointingdevice of claim 1 wherein said photoemitter and photodetector aredisposed such that the light directed from said photoemitter passesthrough said slits to said photodetector during rotation of said rollerwith respect to said photoemitter when said roller is not depressed. 3.The pointing device of claim 1 wherein said photoemitter andphotodetector are disposed such that the light directed from saidphotoemitter passes through said slits to said photodetector duringrotation of said roller with respect to said photoemitter when saidroller is depressed.
 4. The pointing device of claim 3 wherein saidphotoemitter and said photodetector are mounted to move with said rollerwhen said roller is depressed.
 5. The pointing device of claim 3 furthercomprising a support structure connected to said housing, said supportstructure being configured to maintain alignment of the slits of saidroller with respect to said photoemitter and said photodetector, suchthat the light directed from said photoemitter passes through said slitsto said photodetector during rotation of said roller with respect tosaid photoemitter before and after said roller is depressed.
 6. Thepointing device of claim 5 wherein said roller is rotatably mounted onsaid support structure which is depressible with said roller relative tosaid housing.
 7. The pointing device of claim 6 wherein saidphotoemitter and said photodetector are connected to said supportstructure to be depressible with said roller relative to said housing.8. The pointing device of claim 5 further comprising a member extendingfrom said support structure to said switch, said member being configuredto activate said switch when said roller is depressed.
 9. The pointingdevice of claim 8 wherein said slits on said roller extend in agenerally radial direction, and said photoemitter and photodetector aremounted aligned with said slits during rotation of said roller, so thatsaid slits will stay aligned with respect to said photodetector andphotodetector as said roller is depressed.
 10. The pointing device ofclaim 8 wherein said member comprises a spring.
 11. The pointing deviceof claim 8 wherein said spring is configured to both bias said supportstructure against said roller and to activate said switch when saidroller is depressed.
 12. The pointing device of claim 11 wherein saidspring comprises: a first pivoting member supporting said supportstructure; a second pivoting member positioned over said switch; and aspring joining said first and second members, such that when said firstmember is depressed, said second member will pivot downward to activatesaid switch.
 13. The pointing device of claim 1 further comprising aspring biased against said roller to produce a ratcheting movement ofsaid roller to provide tactile user feedback during rotation of saidroller.
 14. The pointing device of claim 13 wherein said roller has anundulating inside surface, and further comprising a second roller,mounted inside said first roller, said second roller being spring biasedagainst said undulating inside surface.
 15. The pointing device of claim14 further comprising: an axle support structure for supporting ends ofsaid second roller; and a spring biasing said axle support structureagainst said undulating inside surface.
 16. The pointing device of claim1 wherein said pointing device is selected from the group consisting ofa mouse, a trackball, and a joystick.
 17. A pointing device for acomputer comprising: a housing; a user-movable roller extending fromsaid housing, said roller having a plurality of slits; a photoemittermounted on one side of said roller for directing light through saidslits; a photodetector mounted on a second side of said roller oppositesaid photoemitter; a ratchet structure coupled to said roller to producea racheting movement of said roller to provide tactile user feedback; asupport structure for said roller configured to allow said roller to bedepressed, said support structure being connected to said housing, saidsupport structure being configured to maintain alignment of the slits ofsaid roller with respect to said photoemitter and said photodetector,such that the light directed from said photoemitter passes through saidslits to said photodetector during rotation of said roller when saidroller is depressed; a switch; and a member extending from said supportstructure to said switch, said member being configured to activate saidswitch by the depression of said roller.
 18. The pointing device ofclaim 17 wherein said roller has an undulating inside surface, and saidratchet structure and said support structure both include the samesecond roller, mounted inside said first roller, said second rollerbeing spring biased against said undulating inside surface.
 19. Thepointing device of claim 17 wherein said roller is rotatably mounted onsaid support structure which is depressible with said roller.
 20. Thepointing device of claim 19 wherein said photoemitter and saidphotodetector are connected to said support structure to be depressiblewith said roller.
 21. A pointing device for a computer comprising: ahousing; a user-movable roller extending from said housing, said rollerhaving a plurality of slits, said roller being rotatable about an axisof said roller and being depressible with respect to said housing; aphotoemitter mounted on a first side of said roller to direct lightthrough said slits in said roller; a photodetector mounted on a secondside of said roller, opposite said photoemitter, to detect light fromsaid photoemitter and said photodetector, such that the light directedfrom said photoemitter passes through said slits to said photodetectorduring rotation of said roller when said roller is depressed.
 22. Thepointing device of claim 21 further comprising a switch disposed on saidhousing to be actuated when said roller is depressed.
 23. The pointingdevice of claim 21 wherein said means comprises means for supportingsaid photoemitter and said photodetector to be depressible with saidroller.